Joseph Rigby, the television executive who played a crucial role in Granada Television's defiant northern identity during its golden years, has died at the age of 87.
From Birmingham Roots to Television Stardom
Born in Erdington, north of Birmingham city centre, Joe Rigby was the son of Theresa and Charles Rigby. His father worked both in the family engineering business and as a barman, providing for Joe, his two sisters and two brothers.
The family experienced wartime evacuation to Upton-upon-Severn in Worcestershire during the Second World War before returning to Birmingham. Young Joe's early life revolved around Erdington Abbey, where he worshipped, attended the adjoining school and helped manage the youth club.
Leaving formal education at just 15, Joe's future in media unexpectedly began during his national service with the army. Stationed in Cologne, Germany, he worked with Forces Radio, sparking a passion that would define his career.
The Granada Years: Building a Television Legacy
Joe's broadcasting career properly began at Tyne-Tees TV in Newcastle as a transmission controller before he joined Granada Television in Manchester in 1964.
Over three decades with the company, he rose through the ranks from transmission controller to head of presentation, and ultimately to head of programme planning in 1973, a position he held for twenty years until 1994.
In this influential role, Joe was responsible for hiring, inspiring and developing the team of scriptwriters who created the on-air promotions for Granada's programmes. His eye for talent proved remarkable - many of his protégés, including Andy Harries, David Liddiment and Dearbhla Walsh, progressed to become highly successful television producers and directors.
Among his notable early hires was a young man called Jim Grant, who later achieved worldwide fame as bestselling author Lee Child. Child recalled that Joe was known as the "Fifth Beatle" because of his fashionable haircut.
Championing Northern Television
During Joe's tenure, ITV operated on a regional franchise system, and he thoroughly embraced Granada's mission as a proudly northern company challenging the London-centric broadcast establishment.
As head of programme planning, his primary responsibility involved lobbying for Granada's programmes to receive greater prominence within the ITV network schedule, frequently competing against what he called the "big boys" of Thames and London Weekend Television.
Joe also served as an ambassador for Granada internationally, representing the company at television festivals in Cannes and Monte Carlo, where he mingled with television's rich and famous.
He departed Granada in 1994 when the company underwent significant directional changes. Like many colleagues from that era, he felt disappointed by what he perceived as the new priority of profits over programming quality.
Following his retirement, Joe spent a decade living in Spain before returning to Britain, initially settling in Somerset and finally in Dorchester, Dorset. There, his rich voice became an asset to the choir of Holy Trinity RC church.
Joe Rigby is survived by his wife Josie (née Carrick), whom he married in 1965, his three children Alison, Kate and the author of his obituary, four grandchildren, and his brother Patrick and sister Catherine. His brother Terence, who became a successful actor, and another sister, Caroline, predeceased him.
